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Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Reginald Budhan, emphasised today (July 22), that investing in a greener future has assumed added significance and urgency, given the emergence of climate change and its ill effects on global weather systems. The Permanent Secretary noted that one area that offers significant opportunity for investment in the future, which would...

In her first act as Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Caucus of Ambassadors in Washington, D.C., Jamaica's Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), Ambassador Audrey Marks, represented the region in paying tribute to the Liberator, Simon Bol

High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), His Excellency Anthony Johnson, and his wife, Pamela, were special guests at a, welcome event for the crew of the Jamaica Lightning Bolt yacht, when the crew arrived back in Hull, England, at the end of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race, on July 17. The return marked the end of...

Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, has said that the government is working to create a productive Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry that will drive social and economic growth. The industry, he said, will be supported by a legal and regulatory framework, which promotes universal access, social inclusiveness and competitiveness. "ICTs will be...

Two agricultural projects, valued at a total cost of $125 million, were officially launched in St. Mary on July 21, will provide support for displaced banana farmers and revitalise the cocoa industry. The initiatives: Project CARE - Catapulting Agriculture into Rural Enterprise, and the Cocoa Sector Revitalisation Project, are funded by the European Union (EU) Banana Support Programme. Speaking at...

The long whispered rebirth of Jamaica's bauxite/alumina sector became evident on July 22, as the Ewarton Alumina Refinery in St. Catherine was officially reopened. The plant is expected to start up with the proapproximately 321,000 tonnes, of its total capacity of approximately 625,000 tonnes of alumina, this year. It will employ 629 workers, raising employment hopes at Rusal's WINDALCO and...

Police Commissioner, Owen Ellington, has announced a series of multi-pronged anti-crime strategies, which come into effect today (July 22), following the expiration of the State of Public Emergency in Kingston and St. Andrew, and St. Catherine. Among the strategies, Mr. Ellington outlined, are: the mounting of curfews in at least five targeted areas, beginning tonight (July 22), and cordon and...

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Local Government, Hon. Robert Montague, says the Government is continuously working to create a more customer-friendly environment for persons conducting business with the State. "We have come to recognise that our philosophy of governance must review, rethink and refocus our energies on serving our customers by designing...

Lutchshane Blackwood, a 16-year-old student of St. Elizabeth Technical High School, has emerged winner of the Broadcasting Commission's inaugural 30-second video competition. Copping the grand prize of $50, 000, Lutchshane told JIS News that he was surprised and overjoyed to have won the competition. Lutchshane Blackwood, 16-year-old Fifth form student of St. Elizabeth Technical High School. "It feels great to...

Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, says that while emergency powers must never become a permanent or even medium-term tool for fighting crime, given the level of crime in Jamaica, it was considered necessary. In a broadcast to the nation on Wednesday, July 21, Mr. Golding said the brazen and organised nature of crime, made an emergency necessary in the...

Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica residing in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia will celebrate Jamaica's 48th year of Independence with several events hosted by Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks. Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks These events will commence on Sunday, August 1, Emancipation Day, with a service of Thanksgiving at the Dunbarton Chapel,...

The Citizens Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) is taking a holistic approach to assisting residents of West Kingston in the aftermath of security operations in the area. Programme Manager, Simeon Robinson, tells JIS News that the CSJP is engaged in discussion and counselling sessions with the residents, and is participating in and providing support for activities, organised by other groups....